Method and system for migrating information between information handling systems

ABSTRACT

A system for migrating information includes a first information handling system (IHS). The first IHS is for, in response to a first boot event, booting from a computer readable medium, bypassing the first IHS user authentication requirement, and establishing a connection between the first IHS and a second IHS. The system for migrating information also includes the second IHS, coupled to the first IHS. The second IHS is for, in response to a second boot event, booting from a storage device of the second IHS, establishing the connection between the first IHS and the second IHS, and migrating information from the first IHS to the second IHS.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation ofco-owned U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/132,778, filed on May 19,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,292 and is related to U.S. UtilityDivisional application Ser. No. 12/053,080, filed on Mar. 21, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,953,964, the disclosures which are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

The description herein relates generally to information handling systems(IHSs) and more particularly to migrating information between IHSs.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generallyprocesses, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data forbusiness, personal, or other purposes. Because technology andinformation handling needs and requirements may vary between differentapplications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allowfor IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific usesuch as financial transaction processing, airline reservations,enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

In some situations, an owner (e.g., an organization such as acorporation or a government agency) of an IHS replaces such IHS withanother IHS. In one example, a corporation periodically replaces one ormore of its IHSs with IHSs that are improved (e.g., by incorporatingmore modern technology). In replacing an existing IHS, an ownertypically transfers (e.g., migrates) information (e.g., data,configuration information, and/or “settings”) stored in the existing IHSto a replacement IHS. With a conventional technique, such migration ofinformation is relatively complex and may cause various problems such asincrease in cost (e.g., cost of enlisting a technician's help to performthe migration) and increase in time for migrating information from theexisting IHS to the replacement IHS.

What is needed is to enhance migrating information between IHSs, withoutthe disadvantages discussed above.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, several embodiments for migrating information are provided.A method includes coupling a first information handling system (“IHS”)to a second IHS. The method also includes providing a first boot eventfor the first IHS, wherein, in response to the first boot event, thefirst IHS boots from a computer readable medium, bypasses the first IHS'user authentication requirement, and establishes a connection betweenthe first IHS and the second IHS. Moreover, the method includesproviding a second boot event for the second IHS, wherein, in responseto the second boot event, the second IHS boots from a storage device ofthe second IHS, establishes the connection between the first IHS and thesecond IHS, and migrates information from the first IHS to the secondIHS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information handling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operations performed by a manufacturer/selleraccording to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operations performed by a user, according toan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operations performed by an existinginformation handling system, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations performed by a replacementinformation handling system, according to an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system (“IHS”)may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalitiesoperable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve,originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce,handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data forbusiness, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. Forexample, an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronicdevice, a network server or storage device, a switch router or othernetwork communication device, or any other suitable device and may varyin size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS mayinclude memory, one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic.Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storagedevices, one or more communications ports for communicating withexternal devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, suchas a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS may also includeone or more buses operable to transmit communications between thevarious hardware components.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally at 100, formigrating information from a first IHS to a second IHS, according to anillustrative embodiment. Accordingly, the system 100 includes a sourceIHS 110 coupled to a target IHS 115. In one example, the source IHS 110is an existing IHS, and the target IHS 115 is a replacement IHS. Thesource IHS 110 includes information (e.g., data and instructions) thatis specified for migration to the replacement IHS 115. The IHS 110 andthe IHS 115 are coupled to one another via a cable (e.g., a cross-overcable) as discussed below (in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an IHS, indicated generally at 200, that isrepresentative of one of the IHSs of FIG. 1, according to theillustrative embodiment. The IHS 200 includes a processor 205 (e.g., anIntel Pentium series processor) for executing and otherwise processinginstructions, input devices 210 for receiving information from a humanuser, a display device 215 (e.g., a cathode ray tube (“CRT”) device, aprojector, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device, or a plasma displaydevice) for displaying information to the user, a storage device 220(e.g., a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive or othercomputer readable medium or apparatus) for storing information, a memorydevice 225 (e.g., random access memory (“RAM”) device and read onlymemory (“ROM”) device), also for storing information, and a networkcontroller 230 for communicating between the IHS 200 and a network. Eachof the input devices 210, the display device 215, the storage device220, the memory device 225, and the network controller 230 is coupled tothe processor 205, and to one another. In one example, the IHS 200includes various other electronic circuitry for performing otheroperations of the IHS 200, such as a print device (e.g., a ink-jetprinter or a laser printer) for printing visual images on paper.

The input devices 210 include, for example, a conventional keyboard anda pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”, a roller ball, or a light pen). Auser operates the keyboard to input alphanumeric text information to theprocessor 205, and the processor receives such information from thekeyboard. A user also operates the pointing device to inputcursor-control information to the processor 205, and the processor 205receives such cursor-control information from the pointing device.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operations performed by a manufacturer/sellerof an IHS in providing a replacement IHS. The operation begins at a step305, where the manufacturer/seller stores a migration program (e.g., acustomized version of a commercially available migration tool such asIntelliMover and Desktop DNA) on a storage device of the replacementIHS. At the step 305, the manufacturer/seller also stores a templatethat is associated with an organization and/or a user. For example, thetemplate includes indication of information (e.g., files associated withword processing, spreadsheet and other productivity computer programs)that is specified for migration according to the organization's policy.Similarly, the template also includes indication of information (e.g.,files associated with games, music, and other non-productivity computerprograms) that is excluded from migration. Moreover, the templateincludes various configuration information such as network configurationinformation (e.g., network domain information), modem information, andother configuration information associated with the organization. In oneexample, the manufacturer/seller performs the operations of the step 305at a factory (e.g., during a manufacturing stage). After the step 305,the operation continues to a step 310.

At the step 310, the manufacturer/seller provides a cable for couplingan existing IHS and the replacement IHS to one another (e.g., by packingthe cable with the replacement system). In one example the cable is acrossover cable (e.g., a network crossover cable or a universal serialbus (“USB”) crossover cable). After the step 310, the operationcontinues to a step 315.

At the step 315, the manufacturer/seller provides a computer readablemedium, and the computer readable medium stores one or more computerprograms. The one or more computer programs include instructions, andthe computer programs (more particularly, the instructions) areexecutable or otherwise processable by the existing IHS to perform theoperations discussed below (in connection with FIG. 5). In one example,the computer readable medium is a removable computer readable mediumsuch as a compact disk (“CD”) or a digital versatile disk (“DVD”). Afterthe step 315, the operation ends as shown.

After the organization receives the replacement IHS along with the cableand the computer readable medium, the existing IHS user is capable ofperforming the operations discussed below so that an existing IHS and areplacement IHS migrates information from the existing IHS to thereplacement IHS. Accordingly, FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operationsperformed by a user for migrating information from an existing IHS to areplacement IHS. The operation begins at a step 405, where the usercouples the replacement IHS and the existing IHS via the cable providedby the manufacturer/seller in the step 310 of FIG. 3. After the step405, the operation continues to a step 410.

At the step 410, the user powers on the replacement IHS. After the step410, the operation continues to a step 415, where the user powers on theexisting IHS. In more detail, when the user powers on the existing IHS,it boots from the computer readable medium provided by themanufacturer/seller in the step 315 of FIG. 3. For clarity, thefollowing discussion references such computer readable medium providedby the manufacturer/seller as a CD provided by the manufacturer/seller.In the above example, the operations of the step 410 and 415 arereversible such that in one example, user powers on the existing IHSbefore powering on the replacement IHS. After the step 415, theoperation ends.

As discussed above, with a conventional technique, migrating informationfrom an existing IHS to a replacement IHS is relatively complex suchthat the technique is suitable for a technician or a technically skilleduser. However, with the illustrative embodiments, migrating informationis less complex. For example, a user without technical skill is capableof performing the operations discussed above (in connection with FIG. 4)to initiate migration of information from the existing IHS to thereplacement IHS. In response to the user performing such operations, theexisting IHS and the replacement IHS performs the operations discussedbelow in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

Accordingly, FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operations performed by theexisting IHS for migrating information to the replacement IHS. Theoperation begins at a step 505, where the existing IHS, in response to aboot event (e.g., the user powering on the existing IHS as discussed inconnection with the step 415), boots from the CD provided by themanufacturer/seller. After the step 505, the operation continues to astep 510.

At the step 510, the existing IHS bypasses authentication requirements(e.g., requirement to input user identification information (“user ID”)and/or password) and obtains access to the IHS' file system (e.g., afile system including information specified for migration) by processing(e.g., executing) instructions included in the CD provided by themanufacturer/seller. Such instructions are included in a computerprogram such as an operating system's (“OS'”) pre-installationenvironment. In one example, such pre-installation environment isMicrosoft Windows Pre-installation Environment (“Windows PE”), which iscustomizable. After the step 510, the operation continues to a step 515.

At the step 515, the existing IHS establishes a connection (e.g., anelectronic communications connection such as a network connection) withthe replacement IHS via the cable. Such connection is for migratinginformation from the existing IHS to the replacement IHS. In oneexample, the existing IHS establishes the connection by outputting abroadcast packet (e.g., a network packet). The replacement IHS receivesthe broadcast packet, and in response thereto, outputs a response to theexisting IHS. The existing IHS receives such response from thereplacement IHS. By comparison, in another example, the replacement IHSoutputs a broadcast packet. The existing IHS receives the broadcastpacket, and in response thereto, outputs a response to the replacementIHS. The replacement IHS receives the response from the existing IHS.The existing IHS establishes the connection as discussed above byexecuting instructions included in the CD provided by themanufacturer/seller. After the step 515, the operation continues to astep 520.

At the step 520, the existing IHS optionally disables its input devices(e.g., keyboard, mouse, or other pointing devices) so that the user isnot able to interrupt the existing IHS while information is migrated.After the step 520, the operation continues to a step 525.

At the step 525, the existing IHS migrates information to thereplacement IHS by outputting (e.g., in response to a request from thereplacement IHS) information from its storage device to the replacementIHS. After the step 525, the operation ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations performed by the replacement IHSfor migrating information from the existing IHS. The operation begins ata step 605, where the replacement IHS, in response to a boot event(e.g., the user powering on the replacement IHS as discussed above inconnection with the step 410), boots from its storage device (e.g., ahard disk). After the step 605, the operation continues to a step 610.

At the step 610, the replacement IHS establishes a connection with theexisting IHS as discussed above in connection with the step 515 of FIG.5. After the step 610, the operation continues to a step 615.

At the step 615, the replacement IHS determines information to bemigrated from the existing IHS to the replacement IHS. In one example,the replacement IHS determines such information to be migrated inresponse to the template discussed above in connection with the step 305of FIG. 3. Accordingly, the information determined at the step 615includes user data and various configuration information such asinformation associated with the replacement IHS' network configuration.After the step 615, the operation continues to a step 620 where thereplacement IHS optionally disables its input devices in a mannersubstantially similar to the manner discussed above in connection withthe step 520. After the step 620, the operation continues to a step 625.

At the step 625, the replacement IHS migrates the information from theexisting IHS by executing the migration program discussed above inconnection with the step 305. In one example, the existing IHS outputsthe information as discussed above in connection with the step 525, andthe replacement IHS receives such information (e.g., as in aconventional “copy” operation).

Although in the illustrative embodiment, the replacement IHS executesthe migration program, in another embodiment, the existing IHS executesthe migration program. In such alternative embodiment, the replacementIHS transfers the migration program (e.g., a migration “agent”), and thetemplate to the existing IHS prior to the step 625.

Also, in the above discussions, the replacement IHS performs theoperations of the steps 610, 615, 620, and 625 in response to the bootevent of the step 605. However, in one embodiment, the replacement IHSperforms such operations in response to executing a file (e.g., an“executable”).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the computer-readable medium 235 and the IHS200 are structurally and functionally interrelated with one another asdescribed further below. Each IHS of the illustrative embodiment isstructurally and functionally interrelated with a respectivecomputer-readable medium, similar to the manner in which the IHS 200 isstructurally and functionally interrelated with the computer-readablemedium 235. In that regard, the computer-readable medium 235 is arepresentative one of such computer-readable media, including forexample but not limited to the storage device 220.

The computer-readable medium 235 stores (e.g., encodes, or records, orembodies) functional descriptive material (e.g., including but notlimited to software (also referred to as computer programs orapplications) and data structures). Such functional descriptive materialimparts functionality when encoded on the computer-readable medium 235.Also, such functional descriptive material is structurally andfunctionally interrelated to the computer-readable medium 235.

Within such functional descriptive material, data structures definestructural and functional interrelationships between such datastructures and the computer-readable medium 235 (and other aspects ofthe processor 205 and the IHS 200). Such interrelationships permit thedata structures' functionality to be realized. Also, within suchfunctional descriptive material, computer programs define structural andfunctional interrelationships between such computer programs and thecomputer-readable medium 235 (and other aspects of the processor 205 andthe IHS 200). Such interrelationships permit the computer programs'functionality to be realized.

For example, the IHS 200 reads (e.g., accesses or copies) suchfunctional descriptive material from the computer-readable medium 235into the memory device of the IHS 200, and the IHS 200 performs itsoperations (as described elsewhere herein) in response to such materialwhich is stored in the memory device of the IHS 200. More particularly,the processor 205 performs the operation of processing a computerapplication (that is stored, encoded, recorded or embodied on acomputer-readable medium) for causing the processor 205 to performadditional operations (as described elsewhere herein). Accordingly, suchfunctional descriptive material exhibits a functional interrelationshipwith the way in which processor 205 executes its processes and performsits operations.

Further, the computer-readable medium 235 is an apparatus from which thecomputer application is accessible by the IHS 200, and the computerapplication is processable by the IHS 200 for causing the processor IHS200 to perform such additional operations. In addition to reading suchfunctional descriptive material from the computer-readable medium 235,the IHS 200 is capable of reading such functional descriptive materialfrom (or through) a network, which is also a computer-readable medium(or apparatus). Moreover, the memory device of the IHS 200 is itself acomputer-readable medium (or apparatus).

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure. Also, in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstructed broadly and in manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for migrating information from a firstinformation handling system (“IHS”) to a second IHS, the methodcomprising: storing, on a storage device of the second IHS, a template,and a computer program processable by the second IHS for migratinginformation from a storage device of the first IHS to the storage deviceof the second IHS, wherein the template includes an indication ofinformation that is specified for migration, an indication ofinformation that is excluded from migration and information relating toIHS configuration; and providing a non-transitory computer readablemedium for storing instructions processable by the first IHS for:obtaining access to a file system of the storage device of the first IHSby bypassing an authentication requirement of the first HIS, whereinbypassing the first IHS authentication requirement includes booting intoan operating system's (“OS”) pre-installation environment; andestablishing a connection between the first IHS and the second IHS formigrating information from storage device of the first IHS to thestorage device of the second IHS.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomputer readable medium is a compact disk (“CD”).
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein establishing the connection between the first IHS andthe second IHS includes: outputting, by the first IHS, a broadcastpacket; and in response to the broadcast packet, the second IHSoutputting a reply packet.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinestablishing the connection between the first IHS and the second IHSincludes: outputting, by the second IHS, a broadcast packet; and inresponse to the broadcast packet, the first IHS outputting a replypacket.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the instructions processableby the first IHS are further for disabling an input device for thesecond IHS.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-installationenvironment is Windows Pre-installation Environment (“Windows PE”). 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the information migrated is determined inresponse to the template.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theestablishing connection is via a network connection.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the network connection is a wireless connection.
 10. Amethod for migrating information from a first information handlingsystem (“IHS”) to a replacement IHS, the method comprising: storing, ona storage device of the replacement IHS, a template, and a computerprogram processable by the replacement IHS for migrating informationfrom a storage device of the first IHS to the storage device of thereplacement IHS, wherein the template includes an indication ofinformation that is specified for migration, an indication ofinformation that is excluded from migration and information relating toIHS configuration; and providing a non-volatile storage device forstoring instructions processable by the first IHS for: obtaining accessto a file system of the storage device of the first IHS; andestablishing a connection between the first IHS and the replacement IHSfor migrating information from storage device of the first IHS to thestorage device of the replacement IHS, wherein the establishing theconnection includes an exchange of a broadcast packet and a reply packetbetween the first IHS and the second IHS.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the non-volatile storage device is a hard disk drive.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein establishing the connection between the firstIHS and the replacement IHS includes: outputting, by the first IHS, abroadcast packet; and in response to the broadcast packet, thereplacement IHS outputting a reply packet.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein establishing the connection between the first IHS and thereplacement IHS includes: outputting, by the replacement IHS, abroadcast packet; and in response to the broadcast packet, the first IHSoutputting a reply packet.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein obtainingaccess to information stored in the storage device of the first IHSincludes: bypassing the first IHS' authentication requirement.
 15. Themethod of claim 5, wherein bypassing the first IHS' authenticationrequirement includes: booting into an operating system's (“OS”)pre-installation environment.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein thepre-installation environment is Windows Pre-installation Environment(“Windows PE”).
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the informationmigrated is determined in response to the template.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the establishing connection is via a networkconnection.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the network connection isa wireless connection.